Neutralization Theories

Question 2

From the chapter, the two best social theories that can help explain Elizabeth’s behavior are the learning theory and the neutralization theory. In Elizabeth’s situation, she is surrounded by the pressure and presence of peers teaching and encouraging delinquent behavior. Also, she does not have a close relationship with her parents. Therefore, the learning theory helps explain her actions. She has learned how to become a criminal (p. 126). She has also rationalized why it was ok that she committed the crimes saying that the people she stole from were wealthy (p. 125). The neutralization theory explains her behavior because she showed signs of four out of the five techniques of neutralization including; denial of responsibility,

The self-control theory discusses how lack of self-control may be a part of insufficient child raising practices (p. 132). It is said that self-control becomes a part of a child at the age of eight and says about the same over their lives (p. 132). Elizabeth does not have this self-control because of the crimes she has been involved with. Also, because Elizabeth does not have a close relationship with her parents she will have a harder time developing self-control because her parents may not punish her for the crimes (p. 132). Overall, this theory applies to Elizabeth because of her parents and the clear lack of control when she is involved in criminal

Social theories of delinquency discusses what the four major theories of delinquency are and what they represent (p. 116). The first one of these social theories is the social structure theory. This theory focusses on the youth in the lower class of society and why they commit crime compared to upper level youth (p. 116). Within this theory also includes the ecological, strain, and subculture theory. The ecological theory focuses on the location and environment of juvenile delinquency (p. 116). Strain theory focuses on what happens with the unavailability of opportunity specifically paying attention to economic possibility (p. 118). The last major topic of this theory is subculture theory. This theory suggests that juveniles hold onto norms and beliefs that do not match with those coming from the supreme culture (p. 120). The next key factor of the chapter is the social process theory. This theory considers the social connections and they situations this juvenile may face because of these connections (p. 125). This theory is broken down into the learning theory and the social control theory. The learning theory holds the assumption that delinquents commit crime because they learn from others around them. They find ways to defend themselves because of the acts of others (p. 125). The social